Agenda

To confirm and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of Full Council held on 4 November 2024.

Members may make any declarations of interest at this point and may also make them at any point during the meeting.

Setting out the current position of previously agreed actions as at 17 January 2025.

i)               Chairman of Council

ii)              Leader of the Council

iii)            Head of Paid Service

Questions, if received, under this Scheme will be published by way of supplement following closure of the deadline.

Questions, if received, under this Scheme will be published by way of supplement following closure of the deadline.

Motion 1 - Protecting British Family Farms and Preserving Rural Communities.

“West Lindsey District Council notes with concern the proposed changes to inheritance tax announced by the Labour Government in the recent Autumn budget of 2024. These changes would scrap Agricultural Property Relief (APR), which has been instrumental in allowing British family farms to remain intact across generations, supporting food security, sustaining rural communities, and aiding environmental stewardship.

This tax is estimated to impact over 70,000 family farms, leaving the average farming family with a tax bill of at least £240,000. It forces many to sell portions of their land or close entirely, paving the way for corporate ownership and lifestyle buyers over family ownership.

This Council believes this inheritance tax will have severe impacts on:

1)   Food Security: Selling off land or closing farms will risk our national food independence when global stability is already fragile. British family farms are critical to ensuring a steady supply of homegrown food.

2)   Rural Community Stability: Family farms are the foundation of West Lindsey District Council, and rural Britain, contributing to local jobs, schools, and essential services. Labour's proposed tax risks destabilising communities, eroding the rural way of life, and causing a negative ripple effect across the countryside.

3)   Environmental Stewardship: Farms cover 70% of the UK's land, with family farms playing a leading role in nature recovery, biodiversity enhancement, water quality improvement, and sustainable land management. The sale and fragmentation of these lands would hinder conservation efforts and undermine efforts to combat climate change.

As such I request the Chief Executive and Leader of Council, on behalf of this Council write to the Chancellor, setting out the District Council’s view on this matter and the very negative impacts it will bring to our communities.

I so move

Cllr John Barrett”

Motion 2 -Banking Hub

“Council I note the continuing trend of closing banks across the country. I further note that whilst many people are comfortable and able to bank online, some (often the older generation) still rely on banking in person.

The worrying trend of closing bank branches means people having to travel substantial distances when many are in poor health, unable to drive and therefore having to rely on disjointed public transport links or friends and relatives.

The Market Rasen area recently opened a banking hub in a centrally located building, thanks in part to the support of the Chairman of the Council Stephen Bunney. This banking hub is already proving to be an essential part of the community.

With this in mind, I ask the Chief Executive on behalf of the Council, to consider as part of the wider market place regeneration, a review of the banking facilities available in the Gainsborough and surrounding area and provide a report to CP&R by November 2025 on whether or not a banking hub, similar to that in Market Rasen is necessary and deliverable.

I so move the motion

Cllr Mandy Snee”

Motion 3

West Lindsey District Council transferred the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

To note Group Leaders of each Group and the number of Members to be appointed to serve on each Committee in accordance with the provisions of Section 15 of the Local Government Act.

In accordance with the provisions of Section 16 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, to appoint Members to Committees for the Civic Year, in accordance with the wishes expressed by the Political Groups.

*A report with completed appointments will be issued by way of supplement.

*A report with completed appointments will be issued by way of supplement.